Dex impatiently watched the time counting down. He and his father had received word from Larry that the President had agreed to their admittance into the Choosing ceremony. He had let out a roar of happiness and felt like a cub all over again. This was the best news he'd had since coming to this world.
His father was less than pleased by his exuberant display of joy. Dex would not let that deter him. He flooded Larry with questions and listened intently as the Liaison explained how the Choosing worked. It was a three-day event, and each day saw a different trial. Contenders were eliminated if they failed any portion of the tests. The top four would advance to Day Three and the final test. The contender who passed all tests with high scores and who had the best mental rapport with Jewels would be declared the victor.
Dex thanked Larry for his help and turned to his father. "Whom will you choose for the other two slots?"
"Your two guards. Nipaw and Dipaw have earned the right."
He sized up his guards. They would be able to connect with Jewels, but he was more determined. "Very wise choices, Father. If you had decided on anyone else, it wouldn't be fair."
"Oh?"
"Nipaw and Dipaw scored in the top five of their class. No one else is alive from that top five. I know that these two are competitive with each other, and now you're giving them a chance to best their Prince at something. All very good motivators." Dex stretched and yawned. "I'm going to rest up. Don't want to make a poor showing."
His father stared at him, and Dex gave him an innocent look. "I will see you in three hours." He left the room, humming a melody that his mother had sung to him as a cub. Destiny had knocked, and he was answering the call.
* * *
Colonel Manroe stood in the President's office and gazed out the window. "I think Bg. General Maussey was about to have a heart attack at the news of the Gatoans' participation. It would have saved us the trouble if he had died. One less pesky human to deal with."
"Chris, sometimes, you scare me," Dimitri retorted.
Manroe turned to look at the President and his best friend of twenty years. "I scare myself most times. But she won't be afraid of me," he muttered and tapped the window, his thoughts traveling along the web of possibilities. They were entering the critical stage where every word and action could collapse the plan and send them spiraling into destruction.
"Chris, do you regret any of the things we've done the last few years?"
"I don't know, Dimitri, maybe. If we hadn't, would the human race even exist? I know I play the "what if" game better than anyone alive, but that doesn't mean there are times when I wish I could choose another way." He stopped speaking and closed his eyes. "Life is precious. I hate to lose even one."
"Maybe we shouldn't have read all those comics when we were kids. Then we wouldn't have such hero complexes," Dimitri quipped.
"Yeah, maybe. I'd better get going. They will be starting in thirty minutes. I like to arrive early and do my glower thing."
Dimitri chuckled. "Like I said, you scare me. I think you show scary better."
Chris opened his eyes and smiled. "That's what I'm paid for." He slipped his shades on. "Be ready to move on my signal. Things are going to go at a fast pace from here on out."
"I know." Dimitri left his desk and came to Chris's side. "Be safe, my friend." He clasped Chris' arm, who did the same with him.
"Destiny be our wings," they said together before moving apart.
Chris waved and teleported to his destination. He arrived outside the building and paused as his mind hit him with four possibilities. He grimaced and decided on the one to choose. He had to be alert. The web of chances was about to come alive, and they were all going to have a bumpy ride.
* * *
Dex stood beside his father and barely kept from fidgeting. Doctor Cosmit was angry with them, but he didn't care. After two days of waiting, he had gotten his way. After the contest of skills was finished, he would claim his little human in all ways. He refused to leave her on this planet where she was abused and unappreciated.
::My son, be calm. You make the other contenders nervous.::
::They should be. None are worthy of her, Father. I will be all she needs.::
His father's tail smacked him across the back. Dex winced. ::What was that for?::
::My son, did you speak with our royal healer?::
::No. I haven't had time.::
::Dex, my son, there was a reason. You will let him examine you after the first phase of this Choosing is over.::
Dex growled and froze when his father slammed a mental smack on him.
::That is an order, Dex!::
::Yes, my King,:: Dex ground out.
::Good. Now, behave, the little human approaches.::
Dex almost snarled at his father for using his name for the female. Sanity prevailed, and he subsided. What was wrong with him? He ignored his father's concern and stared at the door. He watched Jeremy enter first. Dex had been secretly relieved to learn from the human male that he was not mate-bound to Jewels.
He and his father were shocked to learn that the Jewels was an incredibly powerful telepath, yet flawed. They had never heard of a person who couldn't create mental defenses to protect the mind. The humans had created an imperfect system to help her by using human males, called anchors, to shield her mind. It was only temporary, and they had to exchange them every two years.
Dex grinned at Jeremy. The Colonel had done the impossible and lasted longer than any other anchor. Yet, even he was tiring. Dex felt sympathy for him. Protecting someone was an honor. To be told that you were failing would be a blow to the ego, even if it was anticipated.
He saw Jewels enter and sensed her agitation. He could smell her misery and pain. A surge of protectiveness hit him, and Dex took a step forward to go to her. He found his way blocked by their guards.
"Move," Dex hissed.
"No, son. Remember the rules of our host, or would you risk losing her? Patience," his father urged.
Dex's tail twitched, and he struggled for control. Finally, he found it. The guards relaxed and stepped aside. He saw that Jewels stood by Doctor Cosmit and the scowling Maussey. It seemed to be a normal reaction for the arrogant base commander. Dex didn't like the man standing that close to Jewels.
"May I have your attention please? The first phase will begin in five minutes. Follow Colonel Lingley and he will explain what to expect," Doctor Cosmit ordered.
"Go, my son. May you and ours bring honor to our people."
"I will, Father." Dex, flanked by the two guards, followed the humans into the other room.